On Cloudsurfer Max Review: Can it “eclipse” its predecessor?

All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.

At the end of 2023, I labeled the On Cloudeclipse as “the best On shoe yet.” It was a totally biased statement aligning with my own personal preferences, but I still stand by my statement. I still have my original pair of Cloudeclipse, which is a big deal for someone who frequently recycles my old wear testing shoes.

While the Cloudeclipse may be discontinued by name, it lives on in spirit – in my heart and in the heart of On’s shoe designers. The Cloudsurfer Max is the next iteration of the Cloudeclipse, renamed to align with On’s Cloudsurfer franchise that promises an effortless sensation thanks to soft cushioning and a rocker shape.

Can the new On Cloudsurfer Max deliver on that promise? Tom, Max and I put this shoe to the test to find out.

The Cloudsurfer Max is built on a bed of double-layered CloudTec Phase cushioning, one of On’s proprietary midsole technologies first debuted in March 2023.

Who says AI can’t make good running shoes? Cloudtec Phase was created using computer-based simulation technology that predicts the impact between a runner’s foot and the ground, allowing designers to fine-tune the ride of the cushioning. The result is a soft landing and energetic transition as you roll through the gait cycle.

“The Cloudsurfer Max has taken the top spot in my rotation for most of my road miles,” says Tom. “The cushion feels softer in the heel and firms up nicely through the midfoot and forefoot for a smooth and responsive ride. It provides a slight trampoline effect, whether I’m heel-striking or landing on my midfoot.”

On is known for the unique pod-like shapes in the midsoles of their running shoes. This design ensures consistent cushioning, as it collapses and springs back uniformly regardless of the runner's footstrike. In the Cloudsurfer line, the pods are oblong shaped and act as dominoes. As each pod collapses under your weight, it falls into the next, creating a rolling sensation that helps you transition from heel to toe.

I was really excited to test the Cloudsurfer Max; they looked so fun and bouncy from everything I had seen! But after sliding them on for a six-mile recovery run, my initial step-in reaction was “ugh, another firm On shoe.” Usually I’d reach for something softer for a recovery run, but I needed to test these out as the launch date was looming.

It was eighty degrees and very humid because I slept in and started my run after sunrise, not advisable during summertime in Florida. I didn’t look at my watch much and just ran based on effort. Surprisingly, I felt pretty smooth! Maybe I should stop reaching for soft, squishy shoes and reach for these instead.

While I wouldn’t say they feel overly propulsive, they offered a slight energetic quality that was very welcome on this muggy run. I found myself really enjoying this run even though I had been dreading it. I even had enough energy for three 20-second strides, and the shoes held up nicely to the pace.

Max also enjoyed his test runs in his namesake, noticing that the Cloudsurfer Max retains some stability despite having a tall stack height (the difference in height between your feet and the ground)

“My feet sit deep inside the midsole, rather than on top of it, cradled by the high sidewalls,” he says.

Tom agreed, saying, “I generally avoid shoes with this much cushioning because they can feel sloppy and unstable to me, but I really enjoyed my experience running in the Cloudsurfer Max. I felt connected to the ground despite the stack height, and was able to control my pace during workouts.”

The On Cloudsurfer Max tops things off with a smooth, engineered mesh upper that feels nice and breathable despite the hot summer air.

There are a few details that make this shoe feel premium, and one detail that does not. The flat knit ankle collar, stretchy tongue and pillowy cushioning around the heel encapsulate my feet in luxury while providing a lockdown fit. A handy pull-tab on the back of the heel makes it easy to slip these shoes on, but it’s thin and flexible enough to avoid irritation while running.

On the other hand, some reviewers noticed the sock liner could have used some extra attention. In a shoe that had this much thoughtfulness in the above details, the sock liner felt like an afterthought.

“I was a little disappointed with the sock liner, which felt thin and cheap for a shoe at this price point. I’m assuming it’s to shave some weight, but I think a more padded insole would have been the cherry on top for this shoe,” says Tom.

I always use my Currex insoles for added arch support, so I didn’t pay much attention to the manufacturer’s insole – but I know that the right materials can make all the difference.

Reviewers noted it fits true-to-size in terms of the length — my toes had the proper thumbnail’s width of space between the end of my toe and the end of the shoe — although I did notice the overall volume felt a bit roomy. I wore a pair of thicker socks on my test run and had no issues. For runners with high-volume feet (feet that take up a lot of space within the shoe), the Cloudsurfer Max will be a nice option –– plus, it's available in wide sizing.

Not sure about the volume of your feet? Your best bet will be to head into your local Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height, so you can learn a lot about your feet while you’re there.

The On Cloudsurfer Max is the max-cushioned version of the Cloudsurfer 2 — sort of like the big brother of the original franchise model.

The Cloudsurfer Max features about five millimeters more cushioning than the Surfer 2, thanks to a double layer of CloudTec Phase cushioning as opposed to its little brother’s single layer.

On says the Cloudsurfer Max feels a little bit firmer underfoot than the Cloudsurfer 2, which I think is accurate. I usually prefer softer shoes, but I prefer the Cloudsurfer Max over the Cloudsurfer 2 because of the higher stack height. I think if the Cloudsurfer Max was as soft or softer than the Cloudsurfer, it would feel too mushy combined with the high stack height.

We took a look at some comparable models to see how the On Cloudsurfer Max stacks up. Here’s what we found:

The On Cloudsurfer Max, Karhu Mestari Run 1.5 and Brooks Glycerin 22 all offer plenty of cushioning that falls on the firmer end of the spectrum.

The Cloudsurfer Max and Mestari Run 1.5 both use subtle rocker shapes to help guide you from landing to toe-offs for smooth and efficient transitions. While the Brooks Glycerin 22 doesn’t offer a rocker shape, it feels similar to the Cloudsurfer Max thanks to a highly cushioned midsole that feels more solid than squishy.

With smooth and subtly springy cushioning, the On Cloudsurfer Max is best for runners seeking a highly cushioned shoe with a touch of energy underfoot. On’s CloudTec Phase cushioning gently rolls you forward into your next stride during easy efforts, but it’s also capable of picking up the pace if needed.

“For anyone looking to train for their first half or full marathon, I could see these shoes taking someone from their first workout all the way to race day,” says Tom.

If you enjoy soft, plush cushioning, the Cloudsurfer Max might not be the best choice, but it will be perfect for those seeking a solid, steady platform for landings and takeoffs.

The high-volume interior makes it a viable option for runners and walkers with high volume feet, plus it's available in wide sizing.